Sign mechanism



A ril 5, 1938.

B. w. WALLACE 2,113,415

SIGN MECHANISM Filed Feb. 5, 19:8 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 H15 ATTORNEY.

Patented Apr. 5, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFice 12 Claims.

This invention pertains to improvements in advertising devices and animating mechanism therefor, and has as one of its principal objects the provision of an animated sign adapted for display in vehicles and provided with a simple mechanism for moving various sign elements automatically responsive to various changes in motion of the vehicle and without any external source of power.

Another object is the provision of a sign for mounting in vehicles, the sign having moving elements to provide an animated display and having an improved form of inertia motor adapted to effect movement of the moving elements automatically and with a quick, positive action responsive to changes in speed or direction of movement of the vehicle.

Stated more particularly, it is an object of the invention to provide an advertising device with a moving element and motor means for moving said element in the form of an over-center or snap-action spring element arranged to snap into and out of opposite positions by movement through predetermined distances and having driving connection with said sign element so that the latter may be quickly and positively snapped into and out of various positions with each operation of the snap-action spring, together with means for automatically snapping the spring, responsive to changes in motion of a member, such as a vehicle, in which the sign is mounted, said means including a .housing providing a runway in which there is a .freelymovable element, such as a ball, arranged to engage a rocker arm connected with the snap-action spring to cause the latter to snap into opposite positions each time the vehicle changes speed or direction of movement, the moving element being operable by inertia movements to engage and pivot the .rocker arm for this purpose.

Yet another object is the provision of snapoperating mechanism including an elongated spring member pivotally mounted at its end and having a yoke rocker-connection at one of its ends cooperable with a rocker arm having extensions arranged in a runway for engagement by a rolling element therein, such as a ball, whereby the rocker arm may be pivoted in opposite directions by movement of the rolling element back and forth in the runway to move said one end of the spring in opposite directions, the spring being normally bowed so as to snap back and forth responsive to such movements, the spring being adapted for driving connection with a driven means, such as a sign element, so that the latter may be quickly and positively moved.

Still another object is the provision of a snapaction mechanism including an elongated spring member pivotally mounted between its ends in normally bowed condition, such that when one of said ends is moved in opposite directions a predetermined distance, the spring will be caused to snap correspondingly into oppositely bowed positions, together with power driven means for rocking an end of said spring back and forth for the purpose aforesaid.

Other objects and novel aspects of the invention reside in certain details of construction and operation of the apparatus hereinafter particularly described as a preferred embodiment of the invention in view of the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of an animated sign embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the sign of Fig. 1 and showing the animating mechanism;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary section along lines 33 of Fig. 2; f

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary section looking upwardly along lines 4-4 of 'Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section in detail of the pivotal mounting means at one end of the spring, viewed along lines 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a vertical fragmentary section through the sign and ball runway or housing, taken along lines 66 of Fig. 2; v

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary verticalsection along lines 1'l ofFig. 6; I I

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary. detail of a modified form of inertiamotor; I

Fig. 9 is a rear elevation of a power driven actuating means for the spring snapping mechanism; V

Fig. 10.is a perspective view of another form of animated sign with which the driving mechanism may be used;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged vertical section along lines llll of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary rear elevation, looking in the direction of lines'-l2l2 of Fig. 11; while Fig. 13 is a fragmentary horizontal section along lines l3l3 of Fig. 12.

The invention as shown in the embodiment of Fig. 1 includes a substantially rigid mounting or backing member 15 constructed of heavy cardboard or the like and upon the front side of which there is delineated various advertising matter including, in the present instance,an animated sign element in the form of a stop or signal light It having two light openings l1 and l8 behind which is a movable element l9 suitably colored, such that when this movable-element I9 is shifted in opposite directions, the colored portions will be correspondingly moved into view through the openings I1 and I8 tosim ulate a change of color for the signal lamp. It will be obvious, of course, that the invention is not limited to the particular form of moving .element illustrated in Fig. 1, but maybeapplied to a great variety of arrangements such, for example, as that shown in Fig. hereinafter to be described.

The sign member I5 is adapted to be used in a vehicle, such as a street car or bus or the like, and there is provided a novel motor means for automatically actuating the movable element of the sign whenever the speed of the vehicle is appreciably changed and also when the vehicle changes its direction of movement in certain ways.

This motor mechanism, in the embodiment of Fig. 2, includes a chamber or housing provided by a closed tubular element mounted by bracket means 2| on the rear side of the panel I5 and having arranged therein a freely movable element, preferably a rolling element in the form of a ball 22 (see also Fig. '7) adapted to roll back and forth in the runway or chamber in accordance with the laws of inertia, whenever the mounting member |5 is shifted adequately along a horizontal line.

Referring particularly to Fig. 7, there is pivotally mounted as at 23 upon an intermediate bracket member 24 attached to the panel member l5 as at 25 and supportably embracing the tubular member 20, a spur-shaped rocker member having oppositely extended arms 26 and 21 disposed within the runway chamber 20 for engagement by the rolling element or ball 22 therein as the same moves back and forth toward opposite ends of the runway. The rocker arm includes a driving or crank arm 28 having a laterally extending roller 29 (Fig. 6) movable in the yoke portion 36 of a spring mounting arm 3| also pivotally mounted as at 32 on the intermediate bracket 24.

A quick-acting tension member is provided for driving the movable sign element |9 back and forth, this tension member being actuated by the inertia mechanism heretofore described, and being preferably in the form of an over-center or snap-action spring unit comprising an elongated piece of spring metal bent back upon itself to provide spaced spring elements 33 and 34 between which is secured an intermediate elongated spring member 35 secured thereto by means such as the rivets 36 and having at one righthand end a looped portion 31 fitted within the bight portion 38 of the outer spring elements and pivotally mounted upon a stud 39 secured to a bracket member 40 mounted upon the rear side of the panel I 5. The opposite end 4| of this over-center or snap-action spring unit is secured by means of rivets 42 in the bifurcated end portion 43 of the driven rocker arm 3|. It will be apparent that the opposite ends of the spring unit 33-34-35 are pivotally mounted, and this spring unit is normally bowed to one side of a center line through the pivotal axes at its opposite ends, as seen in Fig. 2, for example, so that if the driven rocker arm 3| is pivoted toward the opposite side of this center line from that seen in Fig. 2 a sufficient distance, the spring assembly 33-34-35 will be moved over center and will tend to snap quickly into oppositely bowed position.

The foregoing snap action of the spring assembly 33-34-35 is effected by movement of the rolling element or ball 22 in opposite directions to engage and pivot the rocker arm member 26 and 21, this action being automatic when thesign is mounted in a vehicle and when the vehicle changes its speed appreciably as heretofore set forth.

In the arrangement of Figs. 1 and the movable sign element I9 is mounted for reciprocation along a diagonal line by means of spaced aligned eye members 44 attached thereto and through which extend corresponding slide rods 45 and 46 mounted in spaced relation to the back of the panel |5 by brackets 41.

Means for establishing a driving connection between the movable element I9 and the snapacting means or spring unit 33-34-35 includes a yoke-shaped member 48 (Fig. 3, particularly) having its bight portion 49 secured to the movable sign element l9 and having its open or yoke portion fitted over the middle portion of the spring assembly, such that when the spring unit snaps back and forth, this motion will be transmitted to the yoke member 48 and hence to the sign element l9, causing the latter to move correspondingly.

It may be pointed out that the particular construction of the spring unit is of importance in that it not only provides a very satisfactory pivotal mounting arrangement 31-38 (Fig. 5), but the leaf or laminate arrangement of the spring elements through a portion of the length of the unit, leaving a relatively more flexible spring element 35 extending through the rest of the length of the unit for attachment to the snapping means 3|, constitutes a sensitive and easily actuated over-center or snap-action means.

In Fig. 8, there is shown a modification of the arrangement of Fig. 2 wherein the snap-action motor means includes instead of the rolling element 22, a weighted member or pendulum 50 pivoted as at 5| on the panel l5 and having a lateral extension 52 for driving engagement with the yoke portion 36 of the driven rocker element 3|. The action of this form of motor is substantially that described in conjunction with Fig. 2 in that a change of speed in the movement of the mounting member l5 in the plane in which the pendulum pivots, will effect operation of the snap mechanism for the purpose aforesaid.

The novel snap-acting mechanism may be actuated by power driven means as illustrated in Fig. 9, wherein an electric motor 53 drives a toothed member 54 through a reduction gear 55, there being a second toothed member or gear 56 driven by the first gear member 54, and each of the gear members being provided with lateral pin means 51 and 58 positioned with relation to the oppositely extending rocker arms 26 and 21 so as to engage the latter in their opposite positions as the pin means 51 and 58 travel in their opposite cyclic paths so as to rock the arms 26 and 21 in opposite directions to transmit this movement to the spring rocker member 3|.

Further illustrative of the applications to which the novel inertia motor may be adapted, is the arrangement of Figs. 10 through 13, wherein there is provided a sign in the form of a panel 69 also adapted for mounting in a vehicle and having an arrangement of vertical slats or louvers 6| arranged in spaced relation and tilted at the same angle (see also Fig. 13). Slidable between the spaced slat member 6| are movable sign elements 62, each pivotally attached at their inner ends by means 63 to a tandem bar 64 arranged for simultaneous horizontal shifting and translation by means of a pin member 65 (see also Fig. 11) attached to the ofiset portion of a bifurcated bracket member 61 which in turn is secured to the tandem bar 64, the pin 65 being slidably seated in opposite slots 68 provided in a bracket 69 secured to the back side of the panel 60. The slots 68 are arranged in parallel horizontal planes andare diagonally extended relative to the long axisof the tandem bar 64, such that when the latter is shifted toward the left .in Fig. 13, .the right-handend portion of the bar 84 will tend to move or translate toward the mounting member while shifting at the same time axially toward the left, such movement being effective to slide 'the several movable sign elements 62 in between the stationary elements 6! to providean animated effect in'the sign or change the message of the same.

A-driving connection between the tandem bar 64 and the snap-action motor means is effected bythe yoke member '61, into the yoke portion of which is fitted the middle portion of the spring unit 33, the latter being mounted in a vertical position, as seen in Fig. .12, on the backof the member 60. Thus, as the movable element 22 shifts back and forth in the runway 20, the spring unit33 will shiftthe tandem bar 64 back and forth in opposite directions for the purpose aforesaid.

Various modifications may bemade in the specific form of invention herein set forth for purposes of illustration, and it is to be understood that the invention isnot limited to any particular type or arrangement-of construction except as may be'providedin the :appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. An animated sign including a stationary member adaptedto be mounted in a vehicle, said sign including a movable element and means for moving said element in the form of a snap-action over-center device drivingly connected with the movable element and actuated :byan inertia element mounted on said stationary sign member for movement back and forth in the direction of movement of said vehicle, whereby changes in the movement of the vehicle will effect operation of said snap-action means for the :purpose aforesaid.

2. An animated sign including a stationary element arranged in a vehicle, said sign having a movable element. together with means for automatically moving said element responsive to changes in the movement of said vehicle, 'said means including a snap-action tension member arranged when -moved predetermined distances in opposite directions to snap back and forth in said directions and having a driving connection with said movable sign'element, and inertiaoperated means including a movable rocking element connected with said tension membenand an inertia-operated element mounted for movement in opposite directions responsive to changes in speed of said vehicle and eifective to Lmove said rocking element in opposite directions to actuate said tension means for the purpose aforesaid.

3. An animated sign'including a stationary'element arranged in a vehicle, said sign having a movable element,together with means :for automatically moving said element responsive to driving connection with said movable rocking elementtomove the latter and actuate said'tension means responsive to changes in movement of said vehicle and the corresponding movement of said pendulum means.

i. In a sign, a stationary sign element adapted to be mountedin a vehicle or the like, a'movable sign element cooperable with said stationary element and snapeaction mechanism for moving said movable element back and forth, said means including an elongated spring member having a pivotal mounting at one end and connected at its opposite end to a rocking member, said rocking member being pivotable into a position to bow said spring at one side of a line through the axis of said rocking member and said pivotal mounting of the other end of the spring member, said rocking member being movable predetermined distances in opposite directions to move said spring member over-center relative to said line, whereby said spring member may be caused to snap into opposite positions, together with means operatively connecting said spring member with said movable sign element,.and mechanism arranged as part of said sign and operable by changes of movementof said vehicle to move. said rocking element for the purpose aforesaid.

5. In a sign, a stationary sign element adapted to be mounted in a vehicle or the like, a movable sign element cooperable with said stationary element and snap-action mechanism for moving said movable element backand forth, said means including an elongatedspring member having a pivotal mounting at one end and connected at its opposite end to a rocking member, said rocking member being *pivotable into a position to bow said spring atone side of a line through the axis of said rocking member and said pivotal mountingiof the other end of the spring member,

said rocking member being movable predetermined distances in opposite directions to .move saidspring member over-center relative to said line, whereby said spring member may :be caused to snap into opposite positions, together with means operatively connecting said spring member with said movable sign element,,said means including a chamber -.mounted on said stationary sign element andzproviding a-runway extending in the direction of movement of said vehicle, a'freely movable inertia element arranged in said runway for movement in opposite directions therein, together with pivoted means drivingly connected with said rocking member and positioned with relation to said runway for engagement and pivotal movement in opposite ,di-

rections by said movable element.

6. In a sign, a stationary sign element adapted to be mounted in a vehicle or the like, a movable sign element cooperable with said stationary element and snap-action mechanism for moving said movable element back and forth, said means including an elongated spring memher having a pivotal mounting at one end :and connected at its opposite end to -a rocking member, said zrockin'g zmember being pivotable into -a position to bow saidqspring at oneside of 'aline through the axis of said rocking member and said pivotal mounting of :the other end of the springzmember, said rocking :member beingmovable predetermineddistances .in opposite directions Ito.moveisai'd-spring.membergover center relative to said line, whereby said spring member may be caused to snap into opposite positions, together with means operatively connecting said spring member with said movable sign element,

said means including a pivotally mounted inertia device arranged to swing in a plane parallel to the direction of movement of said vehicle and having driving connection with said rocking member to move the latter predetermined disstances responsive to changes in the speed of movement of said vehicle for the purpose of effecting snap action of said spring member.

7. In a sign, a stationary member and a movable sign member and snap-action mechanism for moving said movable sign member back and forth in opposite positions, said snap-action mechanism including an elongated spring member mounted on said stationary member for snap action over-center into and out of oppositely bowed positions relative to its long axis, said spring member having driving connection with said movable element and being operable when the same snaps back and forth as aforesaid to change the position of said movable element, and inertia-operated mechanism for moving said spring member predetermined distances in opposite directions over-center to effect snap action of the same for the purpose aforesaid.

8. In a sign, a stationary member and a movable sign member and snap-action mechanism for moving said movable sign member back and forth in opposite positions, said snap-action mechanism including an elongated spring mem-- ber mounted on said stationary member for snap action over-center into and out of oppositely bowed positions relative to its long axis, said spring member having driving connection with said movable element and being operable when the same snaps back and forth as aforesaid to change the position of said movable element, together with power-driven means including a motor-driven rocking member for moving said spring member predetermined amounts .in opposite directions over-center to effect snap action thereof for the purpose aforesaid.

9. A device of the class described including a stationary member adapted to be mounted in a vehicle, a movable member mounted on said stationary member, and automatic snap-action means for moving said movable member and including an elongated spring unit having a plurality of superposed spring elements through a portion of its length and a unitary spring element through the remainder of its length, said spring unit being pivotally mounted at its end adjacent said plurality of spring elements and having operable connection with a rocking member at its opposite end adjacent said unitary element, said spring unit having driving connection with said movable element, said spring unit being normally bowed for over-center snap action into opposite positions on either side of its normal long axis, together with inertia mechanism operated by changes in movement of said vehicle for actuating said rocking member to move said spring unit predetermined distances relative to its overc enter position to effect snap action of the same for the purpose aforesaid.

10. A device of the class described including a stationary member adapted to be mounted in a vehicle, a movable member mounted on said stationary member, and automatic snap-action means for moving said movable member and including an elongated spring unit having a plurality of superposed spring elements through a portion of its length and a unitary spring element through the remainder of its length, said spring unit being pivotally mounted at its end adjacent said plurality of spring elements and having operable connection with a rocking member at its opposite end adjacent said unitary element, said spring unit having driving connection with said movable element, said spring unit being normally bowed for over-center snap action into opposite positions on either side of its normal long axis, together with inertia-operated means in the form of a pivoted inertia member having driving connection with said rocking member and mounted for pivotal movement in a plane parallel to the direction of movement of said vehicle, whereby to rock said spring unit in opposite directions over-center to effect snap action of the same for the purpose aforesaid.

11. A device of the class described including a stationary member adapted to be mounted in a vehicle, a movable member mounted on said stationary member, and automatic snap-action means for moving said movable member and including an elongated spring unit having a plurality of superposed spring elements through a portion of its length and a unitary spring element through the remainder of its length, said spring unit being pivotally mounted at its end adjacent said plurality of spring elements and having operable connection with a rocking member at its opposite end adjacent said unitary element, said spring unit having driving connection with said movable element, said spring unit being normally bowed for over-center snap action into opposite positions on either side of its normal long axis, together with power-driven means including a powered driving device and a first cyclically operable member driven thereby, a second cyclically operable member driven by said first cyclically operable member in opposite directions to the latter, and lever means movable in opposite directions and drivingly connected with said rocking member, said lever means being alternately engaged by means on said first and second cyclically operable members to rock the same back and forth and effect snap action of said spring unit for the purpose aforesaid.

12. In a sign or the like, a mounting member and a movable sign element mounted thereon for reciprocable movement, a rocking member pivotally mounted on said mounting member, an elongated spring member secured at one of its ends to said rocking member, the opposite end of said spring member being pivotally mounted on said mounting member, said spring member fitting into a yoke member attached to said movable sign element and said rocking member being pivotable in opposite directions to bow said spring over-center on opposite sides of a line joining the pivotal axis of the rocking member with the pivotal mounting of the opposite end of said spring member, whereby said rocking member may be pivoted predetermined distances in opposite directions to effect snap action of said spring over-center and change the position of said movable sign element, and means for pivoting said rocker member back and forth for the purpose aforesaid.

BRUCE W. WALLACE. 

